Hardwood Floors August/September 2019

3 Educate workers on the best ergonomic practices and selecting ideal tools for each task. Using ideal ergonomic practices and behaviors requires worker knowledge on how to set up the environment for the task and using the best posture for moving the body throughout the task. Many workers have received education on proper lifting methods, but workers use best practices to lift to varying degrees. Lifting, carrying, and handling heavy loads have been linked to half of all work-related injuries in construction. Ensure that workers know how to lift properly, and provide appropriate tools for handling heavy materials and equipment. Frequently train workers on the company’s best ergonomic practices, as repetition reinforces understanding and learning, particularly in different situations at the worksite.

4 Provideandmaintainequipment tosupportbestpractices. This is particularly important for themost physicallydemanding tasks suchasmanual material handling, demolitionwork, and working inconfined spaceor awkward structures.Therehavebeenmanynew devices andworkmethods developed to aidworker productivity anddecrease the physical demands ofwork.Devices such as anedger dolly, whichpositionsworkers inamuch less stressful waywhile edging floors, andbigmachinebelts reducewear and tear on theback. Ergonomichandles providedwithflooringnailers allowthe worker tooperate thenailers at ahigher position, thus reducing the riskof fatigue. But poormaintenance andnonfunctioning equipment eliminate thesebenefits toworker healthand to the schedule. Employers shouldprovide tools andan equipmentmaintenanceprogramto employees andalsoconsider rental options formore costly equipment.

5 Educateworkers on stretching exercises and use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Many contractors require participation in stretching exercises each day at the worksite by their own employer or the general contractor. Stretching exercises are beneficial for maintaining full movement of the joints andmuscles of the body.These exercises are useful to prevent injuries to some degree, but they cannot counter the effects of heavy, hard labor performed repeatedly over time. Similarly, use of PPE to prevent ergonomic injuries, such as contact stress on the knees fromkneeling on hard surfaces, may be reduced by wearing knee pads. Antivibration gloves may be useful for holding vibratory hand tools. Stretching and PPE provide some benefit for ergonomic hazards, but other methods such as ideal tools and equipment or alternative workmethods will likely have a greater impact on reducing injuries.

Tackling the soft tissue injuries experienced by many construction workers over their lifetime is challenging, since the solution requires effort on the part of the employer as well as the workers. Employers must help the workers by providing the best equipment to perform the work and allowing adequate time and manpower to use ideal ergonomic work practices. Workers must be trained on the best ergonomic methods and consistently use these practices. Both employers and workers must cooperatively plan the best ergonomic practices for a given build and work environment, as each project presents its own unique challenges. Use the Common Ergonomic Risks and Controls Guide on pages 46-47 as a resource. The loss of workers from disability and early retirement in addition to the decline in availability of qualified workers should be a concern for employers and workers alike. g

AnnMarie Dale, PhD, OTR/L, is an Associate Professor at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Dale has conducted research to address health and safety issues in the trades, including specialty contractors and construction workers. She has collaborated with the Floor Layers Apprenticeship training program in St. Louis to both develop education and identify tools and equipment that may reduce stress on workers’ joints. Dr. Dale’s research is conducted on behalf of NIOSH and CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training. She also serves on the external advisory board for the National Construction Safety and Health Research Center.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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